Preview: Maple Leafs at Bruins

March 25, 2013|Reuters

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Preview: Maple Leafs at Bruins

After ending an eight-game skid to the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs look to secure their second victory in three days when the Original Six rivals reconvene in Beantown on Monday. Nazem Kadri scored his third goal in two contests as Toronto skated to a 3-2 triumph on Saturday for its second win in eight games (2-3-3). Kadri has collected nine points (three goals, six assists) during his four-game streak.

The Bruins are limping home after mustering just six goals during a 1-3-0 road trip, but coach Claude Julien's club has reason for optimism. Boston, which owns a 10-2-1 mark at TD Garden, will play 11 of its remaining 18 games at home. TD Garden hasn't been a friendly place for the Maple Leafs, who have skated away without a win in their last four visits.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (17-12-3): Joffrey Lupul will return to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for his hit on Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman. Lupul had been playing well prior to the ban, recording three goals and an assist in two games after being sidelined for 25 with a broken forearm. Although victorious, Toronto would be better served to put more shots on goal. The Maple Leafs mustered a season-low 13 in Saturday's win.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (20-7-3): Tuukka Rask is expected to start on Monday and will attempt to improve upon his 7-1-0 career mark and 1.41 goals-against average versus Toronto, which selected him with a first-round pick in the 2005 draft. The 26-year-old Finn made 21 saves in a 1-0 win over the Maple Leafs on Feb. 2. Rask also stopped both shots he faced in a relief role on Saturday.